Structurally a distinct language from Megleno Romanian [ruq] (Agard 1984). It split from the other 3 Romanian languages between 500 and 1000 A.D. Many dialects.

Language Use

Rapid assimilation to Greek culture; children attend Greek schools. 20% live traditionally. No legal status in Greece. Not taught in school except for one course at the University of Salonica. Some revival of the culture in progress since the 1980s. Rapid language shift in Greece. People over 50 are fluent, many between 25 to 50 are passive speakers with limited knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Known by some youth. Many also use Greek [ell].